prognosis
prog-NOH-sis
/prɒɡˈnəʊ.sɪs/
A forecast of the likely course and outcome of a disease or situation.
Unlike diagnosis (what is it?), prognosis is (what will happen?).
The story behind the word. From Greek 'prognosis' (foreknowledge). In ancient medicine, a doctor's reputation was built on their ability to predict the course of an illness.
Word relationships
- outlook: Outlook is more general; prognosis is strictly medical or formal.
- forecast: Forecast is usually for weather or economics; prognosis is for health.
Commonly confused with
- diagnosis: Diagnosis identifies the disease; prognosis predicts the outcome.
Word family
- prognostic (adjective): Predictive of an outcome.
- prognosticate (verb): To foretell or prophesy.
Collocations
- good prognosis
- poor prognosis
- clinical prognosis
- long-term prognosis
Example sentences
- "Because the cancer was caught early, the patient has an excellent prognosis for a full recovery." Doctor-patient talk
- "The prognosis was not encouraging." Literature
Memory hook
PRO (before) + GNOS (know): Knowing before it happens. Fore-knowledge of health.
When not to use
Don't use for things that are certain; it always implies a degree of prediction.
Fun facts
- Hippocrates believed that prognosis was the most important skill for a physician.
Related words
Explore more words
diagnosis, forecast, predict, prophylactic, prophecy, diagnostic
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